470 Journal of Agriculture , \ ictoria. [lo Aug., 1912. 



mixture — may be used in conjunction with tlie spray that is used for the 

 treatment of the scales. 



The Olive Tree Bug {Froggattia olivina). — This bug does not appear 

 \.o have claimed the attention of growers in this State. According to Mr. 

 Froggatt, it has a wide distribution in New South Wales, where its native 

 host plant is the mock olive {Notelecc longifolia), and since this tree is 

 also native to this State, it is possible that the olive bug may also be 

 present. Though instances are recorded in New South Wales of this bug 

 having transferred its attention from the native olive to the cultivated olive, 

 it has so far done little damage; nevertheless, where sufficiently numerous, 

 a great deal of damage can be done. The bug itself is very small (being 

 about i-i6th of an inch in length), and dark linnvn in colour, and although 

 h can hardly be regarded as one of the olive pests here, it may possibly 

 become one, and growers should be on the look out for its appearance, 

 especially in those districts where the native olive grows. Where it is 

 once detected precautionary measures should be immediately adopted 

 against its extens'on. 



Tuberculosis {Bacillus olccc). — It is found that this disease cau.^es the 

 formation of various sized tubercules or nodules on the main branches. 

 They, of course, interfere with the healthy development of the shoots, and 

 if allowed to remain will gradually multiply. The trouble takes place in 

 the wood-fibres under the bark, consequentlv it is difficult to apply any 

 remedy effectively. The affected parts should be cut out and burned. 

 This disea.se is prevalent in the Mediterranean countries, but does not 

 appear to have been found in this country. 



The Olive Fly {Dacus olca: ossi). — This is i)robably the most dreaded 

 of all the olive pests in the gro\es adjoining the Mediterranean. For years 

 •t has worked enormous damage. Owing to- its habits and method of attack 

 it is one of the most difficult tO' cope with. Its life history and mode of 

 attack appear to be v&xy similar to that of the closely allied species, the 

 Mediterranean Fruit Fly {Ceratitis capitata. Weid). The fly itself is about 

 one-fifth of an inch in length, yellowish red in colour, with dark stripes 

 on the abdomen. The eggs are of a golden hue. The pest is most preva- 

 lent about the time of the fruits ripening, and if the affected fruits do 

 not fall by the time the larvae have developed .sufficiently to enter the 

 pupating stage they fall to the ground and .seek some harliour in which to 

 pupate. The larvae, which are hatched out in a few days, burrow through 

 the fruit, l)reaking down its tissues and quickly rendering it unfit for use. 



As before stated, the method and period of this fly's attack render it 

 very difficult to carrv out any effective method of combating it. Since 

 the insect is concealed in the pulp of the fruit during those stages of its 

 life history where its damaging work is carried out, it cannot be attacked 

 by means of a spray, methods of suppression must be directed chiefly 

 against the moth itself. The traps used for other fruit flies would probably 

 Le found of value for this one. They are made of shallow tins with a 

 liftle kerosene in them, and hung in the trees. Experiments made with 

 various chemicals would reveal something which would attract the flies 

 and prove of value in minimizing the pest ; spraying with sweetened 

 poLsoned solutions has been carried out in Italv with some degree of 

 success. 



The Olive Moth {Qruga minadora). — The caterpillar of this moth is 

 responsible for some degree of damage in the older countries, but so far as 



